History of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Alta, Buena Vista County, Iowa

The
early history of the Methodist church at Alta is the same as that of the
church of the same denomination at Storm Lake. In the year 1870 Rev.
Horsewell was sent to the Storm Lake charge, then without a church and
organization, to look after the spiritual welfare of the people and if
possible to effect a Methodist organization. A class had been formed some
time before by Rev. Thomas Whitely and Mr. Horsewell perfected this
organization. Northwest of Storm Lake, on the prairie, he found another
settlement anxious to have religious services and so, in 1871, a class was
organized at the Hunt schoolhouse, three miles northeast of Alta. In 1872
Rev. O. S. Bryan filled the appointment and in 1873 Rev. Smith D. Fry was
pastor. In 1874 Rev. Wilmot Whitfield came as pastor of the Storm Lake
circuit and the Elk charge was added, services being held in homes and
schoolhouses.

In
1875 church buildings were erected at Storm Lake and Alta, and the charge
was divided, the Elk charge going with the Alta church. Rev. Henry Brown
was the first resident pastor of the Alta church. The church, built during
the summer, was dedicated shortly after the appointment of the pastor. The
incorporation of the church dates from April 19, 1875, the incorporators and
board of trustees being Hosea Bennett, J. L. Bennett, Geo. G. Espe, J. L.
Wilson, W. S. VanBuskirk, G. H. Richmond, C. Shell, William Lownsberry and
T. W. D. Orswell. These were elected at the quarterly conference held at
Storm Lake, before the church was organized here.

The
church grew steadily from the beginning. In 1887 an addition was built to
the main part, and this was occupied until 1906 when a handsome new brick
church was erected, through the efforts of Rev. G. W. Southwell and the
society, which pledged about twenty-five thousand dollars for the church and
furniture. The outside public was also generous in contributing to the
building fund.

The
women in the church have several societies of which the Social Union is for
the social upbuilding of the church. Mrs. N. P. Swanson is president and
Mrs. John Stomberg secretary and treasurer. Miss Minnie Tincknell is
president and Mrs. G. O. Kidder secretary of the Woman's Home Missionary
society and Mrs. F. N. Sipe president and Mrs. S. P. DeLay secretary of the
Woman's Foreign Missionary society.